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Warwickshire MP Marcus Jones (Con Nuneaton) backed Mrs May and pointed out the Tories got 14 million votes at the last election, saying on Twitter: “She got mandate of 14m votes. Right to stay and carry through her positive domestic agenda and Brexit.”

Shropshire MP Mark Pritchard (Con The Wrekin) said: “Attempts to drum up a delegation of 30 MPs to try & force PM out - will fail. Also cowardly.”

Mark Pritchard said the plotters were cowardly

Warwickshire MP Nadhim Zahawi (Con Stratford) tweeted: “Inundated with message of support for Theresa May from members. Grant Shapps has misjudged the mood of the party and MPs”.

Black Country MP Margot James (Con Strourbridge) said Mr Shapps does not enjoy wide support in the party after he resigned as chairman following allegations of bullying in the Tories’ youth wing.

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“The intention was to be able to go to Mrs May with a list of names - probably with the former Cabinet ministers going to see her.”

He added: “It will have to be her decision. I had rather hoped that we would be able to get to point where we could go to her privately and have this conversation; I am very sorry that the whips have not made this possible.”

Mr Shapps had not meant for the plot to be publicised, and blamed Government whips for telling the Times newspaper about it.